# CVE-2007-5863: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands on Mac OS X via a man-in-the-middle attack exploiting the Software Update mechanism's external script handling.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 19 Dec 2007
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-5f6v-m426-9687

## What is CVE-2007-5863?

CVE-2007-5863 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 19 Dec 2007. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Software Update in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack between the client and the server, using a modified distribution definition file with the "allow-external-scripts" option.

Weakness: CWE-310

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2007-5863?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Apple Mac Os X, Apple Mac Os X Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2007-5863?

No fix has been published for CVE-2007-5863 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2007-5863 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2007-5863 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apple OS X Software Update Command Execution (metasploit)
- Apple Mac OSX Software Update - Command Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Mac Os X

- [CVE-2014-7169](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-7169/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2014-6271](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-6271/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-1823](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1823/): PHP-CGI Query String Parameter (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-30713](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30713/): Apple macOS Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-8526](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8526/): Apple macOS Use-After-Free (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2007-5863 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2007-5863 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 19 Dec 2007. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2007-5863 exists.

Affected product: Apple Mac Os X. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-5863/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-5863/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2007-5863
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-5863
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2007-5863

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-5863/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.